All of us—at least those of us with children—currently use or have at some time received or bought a piece of colorfully-decorated melamine dinnerware. Many consider melamine dishes the perfect choice for kids because they are practically unbreakable.
I have a set of melamine mixing bowls from Williams-Sonoma which I use regularly–although one did break in a freak accident last year, and until very recently, I used melamine dishes for most of my kids’ meals.
A friend who visited recently said, “I’m surprised YOU (meaning you who professes to be a health and safety fanatic) are serving food to your kids on melamine!”
I confess that while I had heard of health issues concerning melamine, I thought the issues were around the improper care and use of melamine (i.e., they should never be used in the oven or microwave) and as a food additive. I made a mental note to do more research, hence this blog posting.
First, what is melamine?
Melamine is an “organic,” nitrogen-rich industrial compound, created from one of three materials: urea, dicyandiamide or hydrogen cyanide. The hard and sturdy melamine resin is created by combining melamine with urea and formaldehyde. Melamine resin is fire and heat resistant, durable, and versatile. It is used in the manufacture of floor tiles, whiteboard and numerous kitchen items, including melamine dishes.
By all appearances, melamine dishes seem incredibly practical and convenient. They are dishwasher safe, light, nearly unbreakable and can be molded into various shapes and designs, which can be brightly colored or printed.
Potential dangers
Some of the first dangers concerning melamine appeared in 2007 and 2008 when it was reported melamine had been added to certain brands of pet foods and infant formula as a cheap filler. There were reports of illness and deaths from renal failure in the animals and babies that had consumed melamine-contaminated food. Shortly after this melamine “scare,” the first concerns were raised about whether melamine could leach into food from dinnerware made from melamine resin.
Melamine resin is fixed and unchanging unless it is exposed to excessive heat, which is why you should never put your melamine dishes in your oven or microwave. Excessive heat can make the plastic unstable and allow the resin to decompose back into its original elements, several of which are highly toxic.
What also is poorly understood is “synergistic toxicity” or the combined effects of consuming a product, for example bread, made from wheat that was grown with a melamine-based fertilizer (remember, it’s nitrogen-rich!), served with milk that has added melamine (increases protein levels), on melamine dinnerware which has possibly become unstable due to improper use or handling.
Note: The levels of melamine in dinnerware are considered safe by the FDA, but this does not account for others sources that can build up melamine in the body.
Recommendation
Although melamine dinnerware seems incredibly convenient—with it’s bright colors and nearly unbreakable design, why risk your or your children’s health?
If you and your family use melamine dishes, but eat only organically grown food, then presumably your sole concern lies with the condition of your dishes. However, as I stood examining my own melamine dishes for hairline fractures or scratches, knowing I have never put them in the oven or microwave, I quickly decided it wasn’t worth the risk. Bamboo, BPA-free plastics, stainless steel and glass or china are safer alternatives. I found some nice-sized, colorful china dishes at Crate & Barrel (link).
Our cute elephant melamine dish – similar to yours – bubbled just from the heat of the dishwasher so we tossed it. Those continuing to use them should stick to top rack of dishwasher and check the condition often.
Ikea is also a wonderful resource for fabulous dishes & their products have to pass the more rigorous european standards…..plus when it breaks you don’t drop one tear
Thank you for the wonderful article on melamine!
Stainless steel isn’t necessarily safe, either, although it may be safer than melamine. You have to be careful not to scratch it or metals can leach into your food. If you use stainless cookware, only use nonscratch utensils such as wood, safe plastic or nylon. I just recently learned this and am replacing the stainless steel cookware I have used exlusively for 36 years and that have scratches all over them!
that’s like saying raindrops are harmful to you because it contains toxic chemical, and you should just avoid going outside.
everything is in perspective, quantity, context. i am sure if melamine dinnerware was killing/harming people, it would’ve made headline news by now. you should worry more about breathing in exhaust fume when you travel to major cities instead.
also, same goes for stainless steel
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7720638_scratched-stainless-steel-cookware-safe.html
Thank you for taking the time to comment, but I respectfully disagree… If it’s raining outside and you need to go to work, walk the dog, etc., it’s be pretty difficult to avoid getting a little wet. However, it’s incredibly easy to avoid melamine. Glass, ceramic and porcelain are easy substitutes. One’s life is literally unchanged by not using melamine. And if you take a minute to read my posting “Eat Organic” or “Commentary on Stanford Study…,” I discuss how chemicals known to be harmful to us are still allowed by our government, and do not necessarily make headline news.
No worries, that’s what we are here for, to discuss it. I still think it is only a matter of personal preference. We can avoid it if we choose to, so is going out in the rain. I am a bit weary on people being overly cautious, a distant relative of mine refuses to use the microwave. I want to say that we are confidently assured that microwave is safe, because the actual “wave” (that makes microwave work) goes through us constantly regardless of an “microwave oven” presence. He simply refuse to be educated.
I think you and FDA both know that melamine leaked via safe usage is very minimal, yes even in addition to “synergistic” consumption. I believe that’s why it hasn’t been banned by FDA. To go the extra mile and be cautious, yes, but if you see a perfect cute little dish for an occasion, I wouldn’t quite hold back just yet.
There are many safety issues concerning melamine dinnerware sets. I would not use broken or damaged plates/bowls ever. Also be careful when using in a dishwasher or microwave. Keep your family safe!
thank you for article. my health insurance sent kids dishware made of melamine after birth of my son … and i could not stop to wonder what melamine is. now i know. thank you.